Tool Magazines of Mechanical Arrangements and Methods for Administering Tools

ABSTRACT

A tool magazine for tools of a machine tool for processing workpieces includes a first magazine unit that is close to a processing station of the machine tool and a second magazine unit that is remote from the processing station of the machine tool. The second magazine unit includes a permanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier. The permanent tool carrier is permanently accessible to a tool handling device. The temporary tool carrier is temporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/356,196, filed on Mar. 18,2019, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/060,865,filed on Oct. 23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,693, which claimspriority to European Application No. 12 190 087.2, filed on Oct. 26,2012. The contents of these priority applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tool magazines that store tools ofmachine tools for processing workpieces (e.g., metal sheets) and thathave magazine units that are close to processing stations of the machinetools and that have magazine units that are remote from the processingstations of the machine tools.

BACKGROUND

A turret type punching press for processing metal sheets may have anO-shaped machine frame. A coordinate guide for the metal sheets to beprocessed and a tool turret acting as a tool magazine's magazine unitwhich is close to the station are accommodated in the inner space of theframe. The tool turret can be rotated about a vertical axis and isprovided along the periphery thereof with multiple storage locations forpunching tools. Owing to a positioning movement of the tool turret aboutthe vertical rotation axis, the punching tool required for the workpieceprocessing operation to be carried out is positioned on a processingstation of the turret punching press. The storage locations of the toolturret are supplied by a tool transfer device with the punching toolsfor the imminent workpiece processing operation. Punching tools whichare no longer required are removed from the tool turret by the tooltransfer device, and punching tools which are required are transferredto the tool turret by the tool transfer device. In this instance, thetool transfer device in addition to the tool turret travels to amagazine unit of the tool magazine of the turret type punching press,which magazine unit is remote from the station with spacing from theturret. The magazine unit which is remote from the station is located ina frame chamber which is open in the direction towards a longitudinalside of the machine frame of the turret punching press. The storagecapacity of the magazine unit remote from the station is greatly limitedowing to spatial conditions. Owing to the small number of storagelocations available in the magazine unit remote from the station, themagazine unit remote from the station often has to be retrofitted orrefitted so that the tool turret which is close to the station can beprovided with the required punching tools from the magazine unit remotefrom the station.

In some instances, a magazine unit which is remote from the station isarranged in the close vicinity of a punching machine having a monopunching head and having a linear magazine which is provided as amagazine unit close to the station on a transverse rail of a coordinateguide. The magazine unit is remote from the station and has a disc-liketool carrier, which is orientated in a horizontal manner and which canbe positioned about a vertical rotation axis. At the upper side thereof,the disc-like tool carrier has storage locations for punching tools,which are arranged in several concentric rows about the rotation axis. Apivot arm of a tool transfer device has permanent access to the toolstorage locations of the disc-like tool carrier and transfers therelevant punching tools between the linear magazine of the punchingmachine close to the station and the disc-like tool carrier of themagazine unit which is remote from the station. In particular owing tothe disc-like tool carrier, the magazine unit which is remote from thestation requires a relatively large installation surface-area.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the present disclosure allow a processing station ofa machine tool to be supplied with required tools in an efficientmanner, with a compact structure of the machine tool.

In one aspect of the invention, a tool magazine for tools of a machinetool for processing workpieces includes a first magazine unit that isclose to a processing station of the machine tool and a second magazineunit that is remote from the processing station of the machine tool. Thefirst magazine unit is provided for tools that are transferred from thefirst magazine unit to the processing station of the machine tool and/orfor tools that are transferred from the processing station of themachine tool to the first magazine unit. The second magazine unit isprovided for tools that are transferred from the second magazine unit tothe first magazine unit for subsequent transfer to the processingstation and/or for tools that are transferred from the first magazineunit to the second magazine unit after being transferred from theprocessing station. The second magazine unit includes a permanent toolcarrier and a temporary tool carrier, the permanent tool carrier and thetemporary tool carrier having storage locations for the tools that aretransferred from the second magazine unit to the first magazine unitand/or for tools that are transferred from the first magazine unit tothe second magazine unit. The permanent tool carrier is permanentlyaccessible to a tool handling device, and the temporary tool carrier istemporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

In another aspect of the invention, a mechanical arrangement forprocessing workpieces includes a machine tool that has a processingstation to and from which tools can be transferred for a workpieceprocessing operation and a tool magazine that includes a first magazineunit that is close to the processing station of the machine tool and asecond magazine unit that is remote from the processing station of themachine tool. The first magazine unit is provided for tools that aretransferred from the first magazine unit to the processing station ofthe machine tool and/or for tools that are transferred from theprocessing station of the machine tool to the first magazine unit. Thesecond magazine unit is provided for tools that are transferred from thesecond magazine unit to the first magazine unit for subsequent transferto the processing station and/or for tools that are transferred from thefirst magazine unit to the second magazine unit after being transferredfrom the processing station. The second magazine unit includes apermanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier, the permanent toolcarrier and the temporary tool carrier having storage locations for thetools that are transferred from the second magazine unit to the firstmagazine unit and/or for the tools that are transferred from the firstmagazine unit to the second magazine unit. The permanent tool carrier ispermanently accessible to a tool handling device, and the temporary toolcarrier is temporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of administering tools forprocessing a workpiece on a mechanical arrangement includes transferringtools between a first magazine unit close to a processing station of themechanical arrangement and a permanent tool carrier of a second magazineunit remote from the processing station of the mechanical arrangementand/or between the first magazine unit and a temporary tool carrier ofthe second magazine unit, and/or between the permanent tool carrier ofthe second magazine unit and the temporary tool carrier of the secondmagazine unit. The mechanical arrangement includes a machine tool thatincludes the processing station to and from which the tools can betransferred for a workpiece processing operation and a tool magazinethat includes the first magazine unit and the second magazine unit. Thefirst magazine unit is provided for tools that are transferred from thefirst magazine unit to the processing station of the machine tool and/orfor tools that are transferred from the processing station of themachine tool to the first magazine unit. The second magazine unit isprovided for tools that are transferred from the second magazine unit tothe first magazine unit for subsequent transfer to the processingstation and/or for tools that are transferred from the first magazineunit to the second magazine unit after being transferred from theprocessing station. The second magazine unit includes a permanent toolcarrier and a temporary tool carrier, the permanent tool carrier and thetemporary tool carrier having storage locations for the tools that aretransferred from the second magazine unit to the first magazine unitand/or for the tools that are transferred from the first magazine unitto the second magazine unit. The permanent tool carrier is permanentlyaccessible to a tool handling device, and the temporary tool carrier istemporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

The temporary tool carrier affords the possibility of configuring thesecond magazine unit which is remote from the processing station in aflexible manner. The storage capacity of the permanent tool carrier canbe expanded by the temporary tool carrier as required. Tools canconsequently be kept available even in relatively large numbers on thesecond magazine unit remote from the processing station. Therefore, thetools required for the processing station of the machine tool can alsobe provided at short notice when processing tasks with a large toolrequirement are intended to be carried out. In the context of the tooladministration, the tool handling device can selectively transfer toolsbetween the first magazine unit close to the processing station and thepermanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station, between the first magazine unit close to theprocessing station and the temporary tool carrier of the second magazineunit remote from the processing station, or between the permanent andthe temporary tool carriers of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station.

Tools for the processing station of the machine tool and/or toolsremoved from the processing station can be temporarily stored inparticularly large numbers when multiple magazine units are providedremote from the processing station that have at least one permanent toolcarrier and at least one temporary tool carrier. In this instance, it ispossible to arrange a magazine unit remote from the processing stationat each of mutually opposing sides of a frame of the machine tool.

In some embodiments, the second magazine unit remote from the processingstation includes multiple temporary tool carriers. The various temporarytool carriers are selectively accessible to the tool handling device forremoving and/or transferring tools. Such a tool magazine has aparticularly large storage capacity. Furthermore, it affords thepossibility of refitting or retrofitting the temporary tool carrierswhich do not currently have to be available to the tool handling deviceand thus preparing the second magazine unit which is remote from theprocessing station with the entire tool magazine for forthcomingprocessing tasks, without the current processes on the machine toolbeing disrupted or delayed.

In another advantageous embodiment, the accessibility of the temporarytool carriers to the tool handling device is connected to an operatingposition of the temporary tool carriers. In a non-operating position,the temporary tool carriers are not available to the tool handlingdevice. The movements to be carried out by a temporary tool carrier intothe operating position or the non-operating position can be controlledwith a high level of precision in a simple manner. In the non-operatingposition, the relevant temporary tool carrier can in particular berefitted or retrofitted with tools. It is also possible to remove toolswhich are intended to be withdrawn from the tool stock of the toolmagazine of the machine tool, for example, owing to wear, from therelevant temporary tool carrier when the latter is in a non-operatingposition.

A compact structure of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station is possible when the temporary tool carriers of thesecond magazine unit remote from the processing station can be movedfrom the non-operating position into the operating position and/or fromthe operating position into the non-operating position in a verticaldirection. Since the temporary tool carriers carry out movements in avertical direction, a relatively small base surface area is sufficientfor the second magazine unit remote from the processing station.

In the interests of a high level of operational reliability of the tooltransfer, the second magazine unit remote from the processing stationcan be arranged in the operating position in a defined manner withrespect to the permanent tool carrier and/or with respect to the toolhandling device. This feature ensures that the tool handling device canremove tools in an uninterrupted manner from the corresponding temporarytool carrier of the second magazine unit remote from the processingstation or can transfer them to the appropriate temporary tool carrier.

A defined arrangement of a temporary tool carrier can be achieved withappropriate positioning precision of the devices used for the movementof the temporary tool carrier into the operating position, in particularby using corresponding drives, without additional auxiliary devices.

In order to ensure a defined arrangement of the temporary tool carrierswith respect to the permanent tool carrier of the second magazine unitremote from the processing station and/or with respect to the toolhandling device, an activatable and deactivatable positioning device canbe provided. The positioning device is activated when the appropriatetemporary tool carrier is available to the tool handling device.Otherwise, for example, to transfer the temporary tool carrier into thenon-operating position, the positioning device is deactivated. There arevarious possibilities for the structural configuration of thepositioning device. For example, there may be provided between thepermanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier which is availableto the tool handling device a switchable magnet connection, via whichthe temporary tool carrier is connected to the permanent tool carrierfor the duration of its availability to the tool handling device. It isalso conceivable to have for the temporary tool carriers a specificguide which becomes effective when a temporary tool carrier moves intothe operating position thereof. Such a guide may be formed, for example,as a slotted guide member.

In order to move the temporary tool carriers of the second magazine unitremote from the station into the operating position and/or into thenon-operating position, there is provided in some embodiments aconveying system that may be driven in a motorized manner. Such aconveying system may also move multiple temporary tool carrierstogether. With the transfer of a temporary tool carrier into theoperating position, another temporary tool carrier can be moved into thenon-operating position. Advantageously, the driven conveying system maybe constructed as a continuously rotating conveying system. Continuouslyrotating conveying system may include continuously rotating conveyorchains or continuously rotating conveyor belts.

A large number of tools can be kept available in a tight space when thesecond magazine unit remote from the station includes a rotatingmagazine. In order to ensure operationally reliable transfer into theoperating position and/or into the non-operating position, the temporarytool carriers are guided on a carrier structure of the rotatingmagazine. In order to prevent imbalances during the rotation oftemporary tool carriers, it is recommended to distribute the tools inthe most uniform manner possible over the temporary tool carriers. Inorder to guide the temporary tool carriers on the carrier structure ofthe rotating magazine, it is possible to use, for example, theabove-mentioned continuously rotating conveying system. Alternatively,it is also possible to provide, for example, rotating carrier discs onwhich the temporary tool carriers are journalled.

Owing to a particularly small base surface area, a rotating magazine ofthe second magazine unit remote from the processing station isdistinguished if it is at least partially constructed as a paternoster(i.e., an elevator or lift including components that move up and downalong a chain or loop). Multiple gondolas may be fitted, in particularso as to be suspended, as temporary tool carriers to a continuouslyrotating conveying system which is guided on a carrier structure of thepaternoster in a vertical movement direction. Each of the gondolas mayhave multiple storage locations for tools. The rotating conveying systemof the paternoster can also be guided outside the lift-like paternosterin a horizontal direction and/or can be redirected several times. Inthis manner, it is possible to provide for the second magazine unitremote from the processing station a rotating magazine with aparticularly large storage capacity. A gondola preferably travels intothe operating position thereof in the portion of the rotating magazinewhich is in the form of a paternoster.

In some embodiments, the tool magazine of the machine tool is formed,for example, by a linear magazine which is provided as a first magazineunit close to the processing station and a second magazine unit which isremote from the processing station having a permanent tool carrier andat least one temporary tool carrier. Using the tool handling device,tools can in particular be transferred between the first magazine unitclose to the processing station, (e.g., optionally, the linear magazineclose to the processing station) and the second magazine unit remotefrom the processing station.

Regardless of the structure of the first magazine unit close to theprocessing station, there is the possibility for the tool handlingdevice on the second magazine unit remote from the processing station toselectively access the permanent tool carrier or the temporary toolcarriers which are also accessible for the tool handling device. If thepermanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station is arranged closer to the first magazine unit closeto the processing station than the temporary tool carriers which areaccessible to the tool handling device, it is recommended, in theinterests of the most rapid transfer possible of tools to the firstmagazine unit close to the processing station, to keep the toolsavailable which are required to perform the next processing operation onthe permanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station.

If processing operations are further intended to be carried outsuccessively on the machine tool, for which different tool sets arerequired, then the first magazine unit which is close to the processingstation and therewith also the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station, from which the first magazine unit close to theprocessing station is charged with the required tools, is intended to becontinuously retrofitted or refitted. When tools are transferred betweenthe first magazine unit close to the processing station and the secondmagazine unit remote from the processing station, the tools required forthe following processing operation and/or a sufficient number of freestorage locations for tools no longer required on the first magazineunit close to the processing station should be available on thepermanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit remote from theprocessing station. A corresponding configuration of the permanent toolcarrier of the second magazine unit remote from the processing stationis achieved while a workpiece is being processed at the processingstation of the machine tool.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a first embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the mechanicalarrangement according to FIG. 1, when viewed in the direction of thearrow II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a second embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a temporary tool carrier of the toolmagazine unit according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the temporary tool carrier according to FIG.4.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a third embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a fourth embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a fifth embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a mechanical arrangement for punchprocessing sheet metal that includes a punching machine and a toolmagazine that has a sixth embodiment of a magazine unit that is remotefrom the punching station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 8, a mechanical arrangement 1 forpunch processing metal sheets 2 includes as a machine tool a punchingmachine 3. The punching machine 3 has a C-shaped machine frame 4 havingan upper frame leg 5, a lower frame leg 6, and an intermediate leg space7 which is formed between the upper frame leg 5 and the lower frame leg6. At the free ends of the upper frame leg 5 and the lower frame leg 6,there is located as a processing station of the punching machine 3 apunching station 8 having an upper tool receiving member on the upperframe leg 5 and a lower tool receiving member on the lower frame leg 6.

A coordinate guide 9 for positioning metal sheets 2 is accommodated inthe intermediate leg space 7 of the machine frame 4. The coordinateguide 9 includes a transverse guide 10, which is movably guided on thelower frame leg 6 in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame 4and which can move in the direction of a double-headed arrow 11 in amotor-driven manner.

The transverse guide 10 itself guides a transverse rail 12 which isprovided at the side of the transverse guide 10 remote from the observerof FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 to 9, and which can be seen in FIG. 2. Thetransverse rail 12 is partially arranged in the intermediate leg space 7of the machine frame 4 and can be moved along the transverse guide 10 ina motor-driven manner in the direction of a double-headed arrow 13. Thetransverse rail 12 is provided with clamping claws 14 for fixing metalsheets 2 and, furthermore, with storage locations for punching tools 15which are provided as tools for metal sheet processing.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, the punching tools 15 which are illustratedschematically in the remaining drawings include as an upper tool apunching stamp 16, as a lower tool a punching die 17, and furthermore astripper 18. The individual components of each of the punching tools 15are accommodated in a tool cartridge 19. The tool cartridge 19 ismanipulated in order to access a respective punching tool 15.

Only two of the clamping claws 14 of the coordinate guide 9 areindicated in FIG. 2. Using the clamping claws 14, a metal sheet 2 to beprocessed is fixed to the coordinate guide 9. Owing to the movability ofthe transverse guide 10 in the direction of the double-headed arrow 11and the movability of the transverse rail 12 in the direction of thedouble-headed arrow 13, the metal sheet 2 retained by the clamping claws14 can be moved by the coordinate guide 9 in a horizontal movement planedefined by the double-headed arrows 11, 13. Such movements of a metalsheet 2 are carried out in order to position the metal sheet 2 withrespect to the punching station 8 of the punching machine 3 forprocessing operations or to move the metal sheet 2 relative to thepunching station 8 during a punch processing operation. During itsmovement, the metal sheet 2 is supported on a stationary workpiece table20 of the punching machine 3.

With the storage locations for punching tools 15, the transverse rail 12of the coordinate guide 9 forms a magazine unit of a tool magazine 21 ofthe mechanical arrangement 1, which magazine unit is arranged close tothe punching station 8. In addition to the transverse rail 12), the toolmagazine 21 of the mechanical arrangement 1 includes a magazine unit 22remote from the punching station 8. The magazine unit 22 is spaced fromthe punching station 8 and located at the rear end of the machine frame4.

FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 to 9 show the magazine unit 22 remote from thepunching station 8 in various embodiments. The various embodiments havein common a permanent tool carrier which is constructed as a magazineplatform 23 and which has storage locations for punching tools 15. Inthe examples illustrated, the magazine platform 23 is securely connectedto the machine frame 4 at a longitudinal side thereof. A magazineplatform 23 which is structurally separate from the machine frame 4would also be conceivable as an alternative. A decisive aspect for thepermanent character of the magazine platform 23 which is provided as atool carrier is the condition that the magazine platform 23 ispermanently accessible to a tool handling device 24, specifically for atool gripper 25, and/or for a tool gripper 26 of the tool handlingdevice 24, for removing and/or transferring punching tools 15.

In addition to the magazine platform 23 which is permanently accessibleto the tool handling device 24, each of the illustrated magazine units22 remote from the punching station 8 includes a temporary tool carrier27. The temporary tool carrier 27 also has storage locations forpunching tools 15. In contrast to the magazine platform 23, thetemporary tool carrier 27 is not permanently, but instead temporarilyaccessible to the tool handling device 24 in order to remove and/ortransfer punching tools 15.

In the case of an embodiment 22-1 of the magazine unit 22 remote fromthe punching station 8 (as illustrated in FIG. 1), the temporaryaccessibility of the temporary tool carrier 27 to the tool handlingdevice 24 is achieved in that the temporary tool carrier 27 is providedon a mobile tool carriage 28. Running rollers (not shown) which areprovided on the tool carriage 28 are arranged in a concealed manner.

If necessary, the tool carriage 28 is moved with the temporary toolcarrier 27 into the position which can be seen in FIG. 1 and in whichthe temporary tool carrier 27 assumes the operating position thereof andthe magazine platform 23 is directly adjacent. If the temporary toolcarrier 27 assumes the operating position thereof, the tool handlingdevice 24 can access the storage locations of the temporary tool carrier27 or punching tools 15 which are arranged thereon. The tool carriage 28is moved in a position remote from the magazine platform 23 inparticular in order to retrofit or refit the temporary tool carrier 27which is then located in the non-operating position.

In the case of the embodiments 22-2 (FIG. 3), 22-3 (FIG. 6), 22-4 (FIG.7), 22-5 (FIG. 8), and 22-6 (FIG. 9) of the magazine unit 22 remote fromthe punching station 8, multiple temporary tool carriers 27 areprovided. The temporary tool carriers 27 are in each of these instancesa component of a rotating magazine 29 which is constructed in the mannerof a paternoster. The various embodiments of the rotating magazine 29differ in particular owing to their capacity for storing punching tools15. Differences in the storage capacity of the tool carrier 27 accordingto FIG. 1 or the rotating magazine 29 according to FIGS. 3 and 6 to 9result in different storage capacities for the various embodiments 22-1,22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5, and 22-6 of the magazine unit 22 remote from thepunching station 8.

Each of the paternoster-like rotating magazines 29 has a carrierstructure 30 on which two continuously rotating conveyor chains 31, 32are guided as conveying system. Depending on the embodiment of therotating magazine 29, the conveyor chains 31, 32 are directed withvarying frequencies. In the case of the embodiment 22-2 of the magazineunit 22 remote from the punching station 8 as illustrated in FIG. 3,there may also be provided in place of the conveyor chains 31, 32carrier plates. The carrier plates are rotatably supported on thecarrier structure 30 about horizontal rotation axes and providestructures to which the temporary tool carriers 27 are journalled withrespect to the rotation axes of the carrier plates in an eccentricmanner so as to be able to be pivoted about horizontal pivot axes.

The temporary tool carriers 27 which are constructed as gondolas aresupported on the conveyor chains 31, 32 in a suspended manner and so asto be able to be pivoted in a limited manner about a horizontal axis.The punching tools 15 are distributed over the gondolas in a uniformmanner in order to prevent occurrences of imbalance during thecirculation of the gondolas.

Via a drive motor which is not illustrated in detail, the conveyorchains 31, 32 are driven in the rotation direction thereof. A temporarytool carrier 27 is thereby positioned in each case in an operatingposition in which it is directly adjacent to the magazine platform 23which acts as a permanent tool carrier. The remaining temporary toolcarriers 27 of the rotating magazine 29 at the same time assume anon-operating position in which they are not accessible to the toolhandling device 24.

In the operating position, the respective temporary tool carrier 27 isarranged in a defined manner with respect to the magazine platform 23and also with respect to the tool handling device 24. This appliesaccordingly to the storage locations of the temporary tool carrier 27which has been moved into the operating position and the punching tools15 which are arranged at the storage locations. As can be seen in FIGS.4 and 5, the punching tools 15 are adapted to the storage locations ofthe temporary tool carrier 27 in a substantially play-free manner.

A defined mutual spatial association of the temporary tool carrier 27which has been moved into the operation position, on the one hand, andthe magazine platform 23, on the other hand, is achieved in the examplesillustrated by a positioning device 33 which is provided for thispurpose.

In the example according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the positioning device 33includes positioning receiving members 34 on the temporary tool carriers27 and, furthermore, positioning projections (which are not illustrated)on the magazine platform 23. If the temporary tool carrier 27 moves intothe operating position, an electromagnet of the positioning device 33further provided on the magazine platform 23 is activated. Via theelectromagnet, the temporary tool carrier 27 which can be pivotablymoved in a limited manner is attracted to the magazine platform 23. Thepositioning receiving members 34 on the temporary tool carrier 27 andthe positioning projections on the magazine platform 23 which areassociated with the positioning receiving members 34 produce apositive-locking connection between the temporary tool carrier 27 andthe magazine platform 23 and in this manner ensure positioning of thetemporary tool carrier 27 with the desired arrangement with respect tothe magazine platform 23. Consequently, the temporary tool carrier 27and the storage locations thereof or the punching tools 15 which arestored on the temporary tool carrier 27 are positioned in a definedmanner with respect to the entire machine frame 4 and in particular alsowith respect to the tool handling device 24 provided on the machineframe 4. Also in the coordinate system of a numerical control unit,which controls all the significant functions of the mechanicalarrangement 1, the storage locations or punching tools 15 consequentlyassume a defined position on the temporary tool carrier 27.

The tool handling device 24 includes in addition to the tool grippers25, 26 a transfer carriage 35 which can move via a motor drive (notillustrated) on guide rails 36, 37 which are secured to the machineframe 4 along the upper frame member 5 of the machine frame 4 (FIG. 1).The tool grippers 25, 26 can be moved on the transfer carriage 35 in thetransverse direction of the upper frame leg 5. Furthermore, the toolgrippers 25, 26 can be raised and lowered with respect to the transfercarriage 35 in a vertical direction.

In order to process a metal sheet 2, on the upper tool receiving memberand on the lower tool receiving member of the punching station 8, thepunching tools 15 are introduced and removed using the coordinate guide9. The movability of the transverse guide 10 in the direction of thedouble-headed arrow 11 and the movability of the transverse rail 12 inthe direction of the double-headed arrow 13 are also used for thispurpose. For the tool changing operation, the coordinate guide 9 firstapproaches the punching station 8 with an empty storage location of thetransverse rail 12. The punching tool 15 which is introduced at thepunching station 8 is subsequently transferred from the upper toolreceiving member and the lower tool receiving member of the punchingstation 8 to the previously empty storage location of the transverserail 12. Afterwards, the punching tool 15 which is required for the nextprocessing step and which is stored on the transverse rail 12 isintroduced into the upper tool receiving member and into the lower toolreceiving member of the punching station 8 via appropriate movement ofthe coordinate guide 9.

The metal sheet 2 to be processed is secured to the coordinate guide 9also during the tool change at the punching station 8 and is moved overthe workpiece table 20. The punching tools 15 stored at the storagelocations of the transverse rail 12 originate from the magazine unit 22remote from the station. A punching tool set required for the processingtask to be carried out is assembled on the transverse rail 12 by thetool handling device 24.

To this end, the transverse guide 10 moves together with the transverserail 12 into the end position thereof which is located towards the rearend of the machine frame 4. The punching tools 15 required for theimminent metal sheet processing operation are received one after theother on the magazine unit 22 remote from the punching station 8 by thetool handling device 24 and transferred to the transverse rail 12. Witheach individual tool transfer, the tool handling device 24 moves alongthe guide rails 36, 37 which are secured to the machine frame 4 firstinto a tool receiving position above the magazine unit 22 remote fromthe punching station 8. The tool gripper 25, 26 of the tool handlingdevice 24 used for the tool transfer is subsequently lowered in avertical direction to such an extent that it can grip the punching tool15 to be transferred. If necessary, the tool gripper 25, 26 also carriesout beforehand a movement in the transverse direction of the upper framemember 5. It is also possible to use both tool grippers 25, 26 at thesame time for the transfer of two punching tools 15.

When a single punching tool 15 is transferred, the tool gripper 25, 26is raised together with the punching tool 15 which is retained thereonand, by moving the tool handling device 24 along the guide rails 36, 37,is moved into a tool transfer position above the storage locationprovided for the punching tool 15 on the transverse rail 12. By loweringthe tool gripper 25, 26 again, the punching tool 15 retained thereon istransferred to the associated storage location of the transverse rail12. Accordingly, the punching tools 15 of the completed processingoperation which are no longer required are transferred from thetransverse rail 12 to the magazine unit 22 remote from the punchingstation 8.

During the displacement movement of the tool handling device 24 alongthe upper frame leg 5, the tool gripper 25, 26 with the punching tool 15to be transferred is located in the end position thereof close to theframe. In this manner, mass-related forces (e.g., mass-distance-relatedforces, such as torques) which would occur if the tool gripper 25, 26were further away from the machine frame 4 during its movement along themachine frame 4 are prevented.

In order to minimize the path length or the duration of the tooltransfer between the portion of the magazine unit 22 remote from thepunching station 8 and the portion of the magazine unit 22 close to thepunching station 8 (that is to say, the transverse rail 12), the toolhandling device 24 may travel to the magazine platform 23 of themagazine unit 22 remote from the punching station 8. The magazineplatform 23 should therefore, if possible, be provided with thosepunching tools 15 by which the punching tool set is to be composed forthe next metal sheet processing operation or should have a sufficientnumber of free storage locations in order to be able to receive thepunching tools 15 which were used during the previous metal sheetprocessing operation and which are no longer required. Such aconfiguration of the magazine platform 23 can be achieved in parallelwith primary processing time, that is to say, during a metal sheetprocessing operation.

The punching tools 15 which are required for the subsequent metal sheetprocessing operation and which are not yet located on the magazineplatform 23 are provided in this instance by the temporary tool carrier27. To this end, the temporary tool carrier 27 is provided with therelevant punching tools 15 in a non-operating position located remotefrom the operating position and subsequently moved into the operatingposition close to the magazine platform 23. Whilst a metal sheet 2 isstill being processed on the punching station 8, the tool handlingdevice 24 can remove the punching tools 15 which are required for thenext metal sheet processing operation and which are not yet available atthe magazine platform 23 from the temporary tool carrier 27 which isarranged in the operating position and transfer them to the magazineplatform 23.

If storage locations on the magazine platform 23 are intended to beemptied for subsequently receiving punching tools 15 which are used inthe current metal sheet processing operation and which are intended tobe transferred from the transverse rail 12 to the magazine unit 22remote from the punching station 8 after the current metal sheetprocessing operation has been completed, punching tools 15 which are notrequired for the subsequent metal sheet processing operation aretransferred by the tool handling device 24 from the magazine platform 23to the temporary tool carrier 27 which is located in the operatingposition and on which the storage locations required to receive therelevant punching tools 15 have previously been emptied.

In the manner described, it is ensured that, when a metal sheetprocessing operation is complete, the punching tools 15 required for thesubsequent metal sheet processing operation are already available on themagazine platform 23 and the punching tool set stored on the transverserail 12 for the completed metal sheet processing operation can beexchanged immediately for the punching tool set required for thesubsequent metal sheet processing operation.

In a variation of the procedure described, it is also possible for thetool handling device 24, during the tool transfer between the transverserail 12 and the magazine unit 22 remote from the punching station 8, todirectly access the temporary tool carrier 27 of the magazine unit 22remote from the punching station 8, which tool carrier 27 has been movedinto the operating position. Punching tools 15 can be received via thetool handling device 24 on the temporary tool carrier 27 and transferreddirectly to the transverse rail 12. It is also conceivable for punchingtools 15 which are no longer required on the transverse rail 12 to bereceived by the tool handling device 24 and to be transferred directlyonto the temporary tool carrier 27 which is located in the operatingposition without being deposited temporarily on the magazine platform23.

Punching tools 15 which are intended to be discharged from the toolstock of the tool magazine 21 of the punching machine 3, for example,owing to wear, can, after they have been transferred from the transverserail 12 to the magazine platform 23, be transferred from the magazineplatform 23 to a temporary tool carrier 27 during the primary processingtime. In this instance, it is possible to provide one or more temporarytool carriers 27 specifically to collect punching tools 15 which areintended to be discharged. After the punching tools 15 to be dischargedhave been transferred to the relevant temporary tool carrier 27, thetemporary tool carrier 27 can be moved from the operating position intothe non-operating position, in which it is accessible for an operator inorder to remove the punching tools 15 which are intended to bedischarged.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A tool magazine for tools of a machine tool forprocessing workpieces, comprising: a first magazine unit that is closeto a processing station of the machine tool and that comprises storagelocations for tools that are transferred from the first magazine unit tothe processing station of the machine tool and/or for tools that aretransferred from the processing station of the machine tool to the firstmagazine unit; a second magazine unit that is remote from the processingstation of the machine tool; and a tool handling device; wherein thesecond magazine unit comprises a permanent tool carrier beingpermanently accessible for the tool handling device for removing toolsfrom and/or for transferring tools to the permanent tool carrier and thesecond magazine unit further comprises a rotating magazine, the rotatingmagazine including a carrier structure, a conveying means and aplurality of temporary tool carriers connected to the conveying meansand guided on the carrier structure, each of the permanent tool carrierand the temporary tool carriers comprising storage locations for toolsthat are transferred from the second magazine unit to the first magazineunit for subsequent transfer to the processing station of the machinetool and/or for tools that are transferred from the first magazine unitto the second magazine unit after being removed from the processingstation; wherein the conveying means of the rotating magazine is drivenin a movement direction and the temporary tool carriers of the rotatingmagazine thereby moved into an operating position and a non-operatingposition, a temporary tool carrier in the operating position being, inaddition to the permanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit,accessible for the tool handling device for removing tools from and/orfor transferring tools to the temporary tool carrier and a temporarytool carrier in the non-operating position not being accessible for thetool handling device for removing tools from and/or for transferringtools to the temporary tool carrier; and wherein the rotating magazineof the second magazine unit comprises a paternoster with the conveyingmeans on the paternoster being driven and the temporary tool carriers ofthe rotating magazine thereby moved on the paternoster in a verticalmovement direction.
 18. The tool magazine according to claim 1, whereinthe temporary tool carriers of the rotating magazine are moved on thepaternoster in the vertical movement direction from the non-operatingposition into the operating position and/or from the operating positioninto the non-operating position.
 19. The tool magazine according toclaim 1, wherein the temporary tool carriers of the rotating magazine ofthe second magazine unit are arranged in a defined manner in theoperating position with respect to the permanent tool carrier of thesecond magazine unit and/or with respect to the tool handling device.20. The tool magazine according to claim 19, wherein there is providedan activatable and deactivatable positioning device, by means of whichthe temporary tool carriers of the rotating magazine of the secondmagazine unit are arranged in a defined manner in the operating positionwith respect to the permanent tool carrier of the second magazine unitand/or with respect to the tool handling device.
 21. The tool magazineaccording to claim 1, wherein the conveying means of the rotatingmagazine of the second magazine unit is a continuously rotatingconveying means to which the temporary tool carriers are connected. 22.The tool magazine according to claim 21, wherein the continuouslyrotating conveying means of the rotating magazine of the second magazineunit is a rotating carrier disc, a continuously rotating conveyor chainor a continuously rotating conveyor belt.
 23. The tool magazineaccording to claim 1, wherein the temporary tool carriers are guided onthe carrier structure of the rotating magazine of the second magazineunit by means of the conveying means that is guided on the carrierstructure, wherein, on the paternoster, the conveying means is guided inthe vertical movement direction.
 24. The tool magazine according toclaim 23, wherein, outside the paternoster, the conveying means isguided in a horizontal direction.
 25. The tool magazine according toclaim 23, the conveying means is redirected several times.
 26. The toolmagazine according to claim 1, wherein the temporary tool carriers ofthe rotating magazine of the second magazine are in the form of gondolasthat are suspended on the conveying means.
 27. Mechanical arrangementfor processing workpieces, including a machine tool that has aprocessing station to and from which tools can be transferred for aworkpiece processing operation and further including a tool magazine,the tool magazine comprising: a first magazine unit that is close to aprocessing station of the machine tool and that comprises storagelocations for tools that are transferred from the first magazine unit tothe processing station of the machine tool and/or for tools that aretransferred from the processing station of the machine tool to the firstmagazine unit; a second magazine unit that is remote from the processingstation of the machine tool; and a tool handling device; wherein thesecond magazine unit comprises a permanent tool carrier beingpermanently accessible for the tool handling device for removing toolsfrom and/or for transferring tools to the permanent tool carrier and thesecond magazine unit further comprises a rotating magazine, the rotatingmagazine including a carrier structure, a conveying means and aplurality of temporary tool carriers connected to the conveying meansand guided on the carrier structure, each of the permanent tool carrierand the temporary tool carriers comprising storage locations for toolsthat are transferred from the second magazine unit to the first magazineunit for subsequent transfer to the processing station of the machinetool and/or for tools that are transferred from the first magazine unitto the second magazine unit after being removed from the processingstation; wherein the conveying means of the rotating magazine is drivenand the temporary tool carriers of the rotating magazine thereby movedin a movement direction into an operating position and a non-operatingposition, a temporary tool carrier in the operating position being, inaddition to the permanent tool carrier of the second magazine unit,accessible for the tool handling device for removing tools from and/orfor transferring tools to the temporary tool carrier and a temporarytool carrier in the non-operating position not being accessible for thetool handling device for removing tools from and/or for transferringtools to the temporary tool carrier; and wherein the rotating magazineof the second magazine unit comprises a paternoster with the conveyingmeans on the paternoster being driven and the temporary tool carriers ofthe rotating magazine thereby moved on the paternoster in a verticalmovement direction.
 28. The mechanical arrangement according to claim27, wherein the processing station is provided on a machine frame of themachine tool which has an upper frame leg, a lower frame leg and anintermediate leg space which is formed between the upper frame leg andthe lower frame leg, wherein the first magazine unit is arranged atleast partially in the intermediate leg space of the machine frame,wherein the second magazine unit is spaced from the first magazine unitoutside the intermediate leg space of the machine frame; and wherein thesecond magazine unit has as the permanent tool carrier a magazineplatform relative to which the temporary tool carriers of the secondmagazine unit can be moved into the operating position and into thenon-operating position.
 29. The mechanical arrangement according toclaim 27, wherein the tool handling device, for which the permanent toolcarrier of the second magazine unit is permanently accessible and thetemporary tool carriers of the second magazine unit are temporarilyaccessible, is configured as a tool transfer device by means of whichtools which are provided for subsequent transfer to the processingstation of the machine tool can be transferred from the second magazineunit to the first magazine unit and/or by means of which tools can betransferred from the first magazine unit to the second magazine unitafter being removed from the processing station.